Posts Tagged ‘november 26’

By Bollywood Hungama News Network, November 26, 2009 – 15:18 IST
Even as the tinsel town wakes up to the anniversary of the 26/11 terrorist attacks on Mumbai, film stars and the industry make the right noises in the media, the King Khan dedicates himself to the Nation in a unique way.

Shah Rukh Khan and BJP spokesperson Shaina N C painted a wall at Marine Lines at midnight to pay tribute to the heroes and victims of 26/11. Mumbaikars joined them in large numbers.

Here’s saluting those who fought against the terrorists on those fateful three days. Jai Hind!

Filmmakers known for fairytale romances are now making movies with terrorism as the backdrop, finds Harshada Rege

It could be a reaction post the 26/11 terror attacks or just the fact that terrorism is a global phenomena, but filmmakers have never before been so keen to highlight this evil on the big screen. And the emphasis on this is laid by the fact that two production houses known for their romantic films, have taken a huge leap and have made movies on this topic. We are talking about Yash Chopra’s production house that’s known for movies like Chandni, Lamhe and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge; and Karan Johar who has made feel-good movies like
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham to the more recent Dostana and Wake Up Sid. Yash Chopra’s banner has already brought out its offering on terrorism in the form of New York that was directed by Kabir Khan and starred John Abraham, Katrina Kaif and Neil Nitin Mukesh. Karan on the other hand produced the recently released and highly-acclaimed Kurbaan that stars Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Vivek Oberoi. While the movie is what Karan calls a “love story” it was a subject that Karan couldn’t stop thinking about. He asked Rensil D’Silva to write and develop it for him. He later asked Rensil to direct the project. “The story addresses this evil that has become a global phenomena,” he says.

But it was director Kunal Kohli, who surprised everyone with Fanaa in 2005. Easily one of the most successful films that had terrorism as the backdrop, Fanaa handled the issue very well. “Movies that are relevant to that particular time always click with the audience. Like Naya Daur or Namak Haraam that the audience remembers for those particular eras,” points Kunal, who has also directed Hum Tum, Mujhse Dosti Karoge! and Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic. Speaking about Fanaa he says that the movie worked because it was a Hindi ‘picture’. “It had the right elements put together. It’s is very important to make your film entertaining. If you feel socially responsible and want to give a message you have to make it entertaining and not sound preachy,” he says. He feels that people liked the movie because the common man was the protagonist. “People found Rehan (Aamir Khan’s character) like any other man. He was a guide and a very mard character. He wasn’t just a boy, but a man,” says Kunal.

A trade pundit says, “As long as the director doesn’t get confused between making a love story or a film on terrorism it’s fine. In the end the audience has to feel for the characters.” Managing the commercial aspect and sending out a social message can be difficult. “Yes, it is very difficult. But that’s what the audience expects from you,” says Kunal.

Aashish Chowdhary, who lost his sister and brother-in-law in the terror attack in Mumbai last year writes

I feel humbled by all the strength my friends and this fraternity gives me. Also, I do realise how I must let go of all that, that is buried inside me. I also am aware that there are plenty of others who have gone through a lot too. But, I am in the hope that all of you will understand me when I tell u that it is not the right moment for me to come out and say absolutely anything regarding the issue.

My sister’s kids are living with and being taken care of by their paternal grandparents. I haven’t spoken about it much because I feel that my family needs to be left alone. I have been misquoted on this sensitive issue recently, and I wish people would stop doing that.

I just want to request one and all to help each other for a start. Whether it’s the government, the doctors, teachers, the common public, whoever. We all need to help each other. Have love, respect for each other. There are so many incidents like these with really poor people too. We can start with some charity if nothing else. The revenue of all the events and programmes that are held on the pretext of the anniversary of 26/11, for example, should be given to charity. Lots more can, and should be done.

And finding the problem and curing it is not the end all. We’ve got to cure it from the root. It is not only people like Kasab. He is a victim himself. A victim of wrong preaching, false teaching. Kids are being brainwashed from a really young age to commit felony in the name of religion. It’s sad. But it’s true. My dearest friends are Muslims and they have a totally different meaning of Jihad. I do not think it’s the religion. The Islamic religion is beautiful in my eyes. It’s the select few, who are on an entirely different zone. All of Pakistan is not as its being perceived. It’s just that the cockroaches in that home have to be removed. All homes have some pests or the other. Crimes are committed in India, too, my friends.

I know I’m saying so much despite of starting by saying I don’t want to. But, what I’ve said is what I think all should know. We are all humans. We should love each other. Hate is a big, bad emotion. It’s got to be eradicated. Religion is not the be all and end all. I say all the internal religious problems in our enchanting, multi-faceted India too should be thrown in the back seat. We have to unite. It’s the need of the hour. For me — as a fellow human to all — I’m a human being first, then an Indian, and then… full stop!

The bridal glow on her face is already visible. And Eesha Koppikhar, who is shipshape, makes no attempts to camouflage her ecstasy. The actress is marrying the sought after restaurateur Timmy Narang on November 29, in what will be a traditional Mangalorean-style wedding followed by a reception at the Narang House.

“Timmy is in Bangkok for his bachelor’s parts says Eesha. “H actually had so business there and he decided combine it with his bachelor’s party. So he andhis group of boys flew to Thailand few days ago.”

Eesha herself in huge demand with her relatives who have been inviting her for round of pre-wedding lunches and dinners. “I’m excited about the wedding,” she confesses. As if on cue, her beau calls and excusing herself for some private conversation with Timmy, Eesha returns to add, “I have three films —Hello Darling, Right Ya Wrong and Shabari — coming back-to-back in 2010, but I decided to marry because both Timmy and I want this more than anything else.”

The actress says that the pundit came up with November 26 as the auspicious date…but she couldn’t get herself to agree because 26/11 is a black day in Mumbai history. “So we froze on November 29 instead”, she says. Three prominent designers are making her wedding trousseau and bridal outfits. However, she is not at liberty to discuss any of that at the moment.

“I’m fortunate that Timmy is broadminded. He has no issues about me continuing with my acting assignments… and though he knows precious little about films, he is my support system,” she says.

Eesha is currently hosting a television show on fitness. And it is fitness that drew Timmy and her together.”And of course, our love and mutual respect for one another made us want to seal our relationship with marriage. I also want to have kids and I decided to marry now because I want my kids to grow up and be friends with me when I can still enjoy raising a family,” says Eesha.

The honeymoon will be on the beaches of California or on Gold Coast but Eesha wants many aspects of her marriage and honeymoon kept under wraps.

Bothh Timmy and I want a quiet but traditional wedding” she says. However, since the Narangs are a big business family and Eesha herself has many friends in Bollywood, both of them agreed on having a reception for their well-wishers at the Narang House in Mumbai.

Amitabh Bachchan to do voice-over for album paying homage to 26/11 terror attack victims

By Subhash K Jha (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 30, 2009)

Amitabh Bachchan

Even as we see a tribute to the legendary Michael Jackson by the cream of Bollywood fraternity in a recent video, composer Aadesh Shrivastav is busy putting together a video as his tribute to the victims of the terrible disaster that brought Mumbai to a standstill on November 26. Aadesh is creating an album of peace to pay homage to the victims of the 26/11 terror attacks. And he has roped in Amitabh Bachchan to do the voice-over for it.

Aadesh believes that Big B’s voice will do the best justice to the album which will have tracks sung by various classical and pop artistes not just from India, but abroad too. He wants to make the powerful voice a binding factor. Aadesh says, “No one else can do justice to this album. Only Amitji can serve as the perfect common thread to all the national and international artistes who are coming together for my album.”

To speed up things and make sure that he can release the album in November, the first anniversary of the blasts, Aadesh is flying down to Singapore where Amitabh is enjoying a holiday.

Aadesh’s album will also bring together Amitabh and Javed Akhtar on the same project after a gap of nearly two decades.